Deputy fire chief to take top job in Garden Grove

Barlag, the city Fire Department's second in command, will become the new chief Nov. 1.

“I had competed for chief in 2003, and then again in 2008. I always felt like I was a few years behind (Chief) Dave (Bertka.) But, in the back of my mind, I knew my time would come,” Barlag said in a news release.

Bertka is retiring after nearly 32 years of fire service, four of them as chief.

Bertka said in the news release: “Dave is more prepared to take on this job than anyone else I know. He understands and lives for this department and this community. The transition will be very easy.”

Barlag is a 26-year veteran of the department.

With 11 vacancies in the Garden Grove Fire Department, Barlag said he plans to “find ways to ramp up the training.” City Manager Matt Fertal, who made the appointment, praised Barlag as a “a consistent leader, deeply committed to his service career.”

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